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IMail Server

Getting Started Guide


Software Version 7

Ipswitch, Inc.
Ipswitch, Inc. Phone: 781-676-5700
81 Hartwell Ave Fax: 781-676-5710
Lexington, MA 02421 Web: http://www.ipswitch.com

Copyrights

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a
commitment by Ipswitch, Inc. While every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the informa-
tion contained herein, Ipswitch, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Ipswitch, Inc.
assumes no liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of that license.

Copyright © 1995-2001 by Ipswitch, Inc. All rights reserved. IMail, the IMail logo, WhatsUp, the
WhatsUp logo, WS_FTP, the WS_FTP logos, Ipswitch, and the Ipswitch logo are trademarks of
Ipswitch, Inc. Other products or company names are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks
and are the property of their respective companies.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, stored on a retrieval system, or transferred
without the expressed prior written consent of Ipswitch, Inc.

Printing History

May 2001 First edition.


Contents
About IMail Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Other IMail Server Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What’s New in Version 7.0? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Components of an Internet Mail System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Planning Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Step 1: What Do You Need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Step 2: How Many Users Will You Support? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Step 3: Create DNS Entries for Your Mail Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Step 4: Choose the Type of User Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step 5: What E-Mail Services Do You Want to Provide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 6: Determine Security Levels and Access Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Step 7: One Mail Host or Multiple Hosts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Installing IMail Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 1: Start the Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 2: Set the Official Host Name for Your Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 3: Select the User Database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 4: Select the Location for Installed Files and Folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 5: Set Security Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 6: Select the IMail Services You Want to Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Step 7: Add a Test User. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Step 8: Restart your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Testing Your IMail Server Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Step 1: Confirm your DNS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Step 2: Confirm Your IMail Server Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Step 3: Confirm User Database Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Step 4: Sending and Receiving Mail in a Test Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Enabling Wizards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Contents iii
IMail Server
iv Getting Started Guide
IMail Server
About IMail Server
IMail Server is a standards-based mail server that delivers reliable
service under even the most demanding e-mail conditions. IMail
Server provides SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, and a web interface for
sending, reading, and transporting mail.
IMail Server is a comprehensive electronic mail solution designed for
today’s evolving Internet and corporate intranet messaging
requirements. Easy to install and administer, IMail Server
significantly reduces both the initial cost of mail implementation and
the on-going cost of administration. Its easy-to-use features improve
productivity and provide a robust alternative to proprietary or
complicated UNIX-based mail systems.

About this Guide


This Getting Started Guide provides you with step-by-step
instructions on planning, installing, and testing your IMail Server
system.
Glossary
In this document, words or phrases appearing in SMALL CAPS indicate
that a definition can be found in the “Glossary” on page 21.
Other IMail Server Information
• The IMail Server User’s Guide provides a complete reference for
user registration, advanced configuration, services options,
mailing lists, and more.
• IMail Server provides help on all screens and dialogs.
• IMail Server product pages and a Knowledge Base of technical
articles and updates can be found at:
http://www.ipswitch.com/Support/IMail

Getting Started Guide 1


IMail Server
What’s New in Version 7.0?
IMail Server version 7.0 includes new functions, enhancements to the
user interface, and to performance. A complete listing of the new
functions is provided in Chapter 1 of the IMail Server User’s Guide.
Some of the important changes in this release include the following:
• IMail Web Calendaring — A new feature that lets you have
multiple calendars for scheduling, task management, and
appointment setting. You can also schedule e-mail reminders to
alert you about impending events and appointments.
• IMail Web Messaging — An updated and more intuitive
interface includes a spell checking capability. Web Messaging
now uses cascading style sheets to provide easily alterable font
styles and quick click features.
• IMail Administrator — Improved interface and the ability to
administer multiple IMail Servers from a secure, remote
connection.

Components of an Internet Mail System


IMail Server provides the following basic services required to
implement an Internet-based mail system. (The illustration on the next
page shows these components.)
• SMTP server lets IMail Server communicate with other mail
servers on the Internet.
• POP3 server lets e-mail client software retrieve mail from the
mail server.
• IMAP server provides another method whereby e-mail client
software can access mail on the mail server.
This guide focuses on setting up the mail server; however, you also
need the following software components to connect your mail system
to the Internet and to provide mail capabilities for your users:
• A DOMAIN NAME SYSTEM (DNS) server. The DNS server can be
on your network or hosted by your Internet Service Provider.
• For each mail user, e-mail CLIENT software, such as Microsoft’s
Outlook Express® or Qualcomm’s Eudora®, is needed.

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IMail Server
Alternatively, mail users can use IMail Server’s WEB MESSAGING to
read and send mail through any web browser.

Getting Started Guide 3


IMail Server
Planning Your Installation
If you possess a working knowledge of Windows-based applications
and operating systems, you will find that installing IMail Server is as
quick and easy as installing some of our other popular software
products. We do, however, recommend that you plan the installation
to ensure an IMail Server configuration that works for your
organization.
Step 1: What Do You Need?
To get the best performance and the ability to expand your mail
service, we recommend that you designate a computer to function as
your e-mail server and you do not run other servers on the computer.
System requirements are:
• Intel (Pentium processor or higher)
• Microsoft Windows 2000 or NT 4.0 or later with Service Pack 6;
however, IMail Server will run on Windows NT 3.51.

Note
IMail Server is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows ME,
Windows 98, or Win32s.

It is recommended that the NTFS (rather than FAT) file system


be used for increased operability and security.
• Network interface card installed and configured to use
Microsoft’s TCP/IP for Windows NT or Windows 2000; OR a
dial-up TCP/IP connection
• A full-time or dial-up connection to the Internet
• Modem (optional, but needed for mail-to-pager, mail-to-fax, and
notifications).

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IMail Server
Step 2: How Many Users Will You Support?
Determine how many active users you plan to have and the hardware
system needed to support them. The following table depicts system
requirements based on the number of users:

Hard Drive Space


Active Users Processor RAM POP1 IMAP2
250 or less Pentium 100 MHz 64 MB 2 GB 6 GB
250 - 1000 Pentium 200 MHz 128 MB 4 GB 12 GB
1000 - 10,000 Pentium II 300 MHz 256 MB 8 GB 24 GB
10, 000 - 100,000 Pentium II 400 MHz 512 MB 16 GB 48 GB
100, 000+ Dual Pentium II+ 1 GB 32 GB+ 96 GB+
1. POP retrieves mail from the server and deletes it from the server.
2. IMAP leaves mail on the server.

Step 3: Create DNS Entries for Your Mail Server


Determine the DOMAIN NAME SYSTEM (DNS) settings required for
your mail server. Before you create DNS entries, you will need the
following information from your Windows TCP/IP settings:
• Primary Host. The primary host is the system on which you
install IMail Server.
• Host Name (of Primary Host). The host name for your e-mail
server; for example, imailbox
• IP ADDRESS (of Primary Host). The IP Address is a numerical
address for the e-mail server host; for example: 156.21.50.15
• DOMAIN NAME. The domain name identifies the network that the
host is on. For example, a domain could be named domain.com.
To identify your mail host in DNS, you will use the Host Name plus
the Domain name; for example, imailbox.domain.com. This is also
know as the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).
To get the DNS information on Windows NT system, double-click the
Network icon in the Control Panel, select the Protocols tab, select
TCP/IP Protocol, and then click Properties. The TCP/IP window
appears. Click DNS to view the domain information.

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IMail Server
To get the DNS information on a Windows 2000 system, click the
System icon in the Control Panel, select the Network Identification
tab, then click Properties. The Identification Changes dialog box
shows the domain information.
To properly send and receive e-mail, the following records should be
added to your DNS server. If an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is
hosting your DNS server, contact your ISP to have the appropriate
records added to the DNS server.
• MX RECORDS. A Mail eXchanger (MX) record is used to
identify the computer that processes mail for a domain. If you
will host multiple domains, you’ll need an MX record for each
domain. The MX record points to the (fully qualified) host name
of the IMail Server (the Primary Host). For example:
domain.com IN MX 10 imailbox.domain.com
• A RECORDS. You will need an Address (A) record for the IMail
Server that has the IP address of the IMail Server (the Primary
Host). Ex: imailbox.domain.com IN A 156.21.50.15
• PTR RECORDS. A pointer (PTR) record is used for reverse
lookups. You will need a PTR record that resolves the IP address
of your IMail Server (the Primary Host) to the Official Host
Name of your IMail domain. Ex: 156.21.50.15 in-addr.arpa.
host=imailbox.domain.com
If you need more information about setting up the DNS entries, see:
• A primer with examples in Appendix I of the IMail Server
User’s Guide.
• DNS tutorials in the IMail Support Center at:
http://www.ipswitch.com/Support/IMail/dns.html
• Our Knowledge Base in the IMail Support Center at:
http://www.ipswitch.com/Support/IMail

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IMail Server
Step 4: Choose the Type of User Database
Identify the database used by the Primary Host to register and
authenticate users. The Primary Host can use one of the following
databases for registration and authentication: (Registration is the
process by which user mail accounts are created. Authentication is the
process by which user IDs and passwords are verified.)
• IMail Database. All user IDs and passwords for mail accounts
are stored, separately from either the Windows NT or 2000 user
database or any external database, in a proprietary database in the
Windows registry.
You can also import Windows NT or 2000 users into an IMail
user database, without having them linked to the Windows NT or
2000 user database. For details on importing Windows NT or
2000 users, refer to the IMail Server Users Guide “Importing NT
Users” section in Chapter 4.
• Windows NT Database. This database provides automatic
creation of user mail accounts for any user listed in the Windows
NT or Windows 2000 user database on your host machine.
Please note that the Primary Mail Host needs access to the
Windows NT or 2000 user database for your network.
To view a current listing of users in your Windows NT or 2000
user database, use the appropriate administrative tool as described
in your Windows documentation.
You will not be able to add or delete users using the IMail
Administrator; instead, you must use the appropriate Windows
administrative tool (these are different for Windows NT and
Windows 2000).

Note
A mailbox and other user files are created for a user when the
mail server receives a message for that user, or when a user first
accesses the IMail Server through a mail client.

• External Database. IMail Server can use an external database to


register and authenticate users. This option lets you specify an
existing ODBC-compliant user database and lets you add and
delete users either from the IMail Administrator or the external

Getting Started Guide 7


IMail Server
database. IMail Server supports Microsoft SQL Server or
Microsoft Access.
If you will use an external database, make sure you have set up
the database connection in the Windows ODBC Data Source
Administrator. Before you start the IMail Server installation, you
will need the ODBC System DSN name for the database and the
User ID and password for logging on to the database.
Notes:
• For more information on setting up the external database
connection, refer to the IMail Server Users Guide “Configuring
the External Database Interface” section in Chapter 3.
• If you want to use a different ODBC database, you can modify
IMail Server’s ODBCUser.dll file to support it. For more
information, read the ODBC topics in our Knowledge Base at:
http://support.ipswitch.com/kb
To display the topics, enter ODBC in the Search for box, select
IMail Server from the product list, then click Search.
• You can download the source code for the ODBCUser.dll from:
ftp://ftp.ipswitch.com/Ipswitch/Product_Support/IMail odbcuser7.zip

Step 5: What E-Mail Services Do You Want to Provide?


Besides the basic SMTP service, identify the other services you would
like your e-mail server to provide. For example:
• Service Monitoring (IMail Monitor Service) lets the mail
administrator monitor the status of all IMail Services (SMTP,
POP3, IMAP, Web Messaging).
• Web Messaging lets users read mail from the server and send
mail using a web browser.
• POP3 service lets users retrieve mail and send mail using clients
like Qualcomm’s Eudora Pro and Microsoft’s Outlook. With
POP3, user mail is usually stored on the user’s PC.
• IMAP4 service lets users read mail from the server and send mail
using clients like Qualcomm’s Eudora Pro and Microsoft’s
Outlook. With IMAP4, mail is usually stored on the mail server.

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IMail Server
Note
You will have the opportunity to specify these services and more
during installation.

Step 6: Determine Security Levels and Access Control


Identify the levels of security and access control needed to ensure the
integrity of your mail server. IMail Server provides several ways to
secure your e-mail server; for example:
• SMTP Mail Relay options
The mail relay options allow you to set appropriate security that
determines who can use your mail server and who cannot. IMail
Server provides five options for mail relay:

Note
During installation, you can select from three options: No mail relay,
Relay mail for anyone, and when upgrading: Do not change my
existing local mail relay settings. After installation, you can change
the relay setting in the SMTP Security tab in IMail Administrator.

• Relay Mail For Anyone


This option is the least secure; it allows your server to be used
by anyone to send mail to anyone (not recommended).
• Relay For Local Hosts Only
This option checks to make sure the "From" address contains
a valid IMail Server host name. This option is more secure
than the previous one, but it is possible to forge the "From"
address and circumvent this security.
• Relay For Local Users Only
This option checks to make sure the "From" header contains a
valid IMail Server host name and that the user is a user on that
host. As with the previous option, it is possible to circumvent
this security option by forging the "From" header.
• No Mail Relay
The server will refuse to accept mail destined for other hosts
(any host not on the IMail Server machine).

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IMail Server
• Relay Mail For Addresses
If mail is received from the specified addresses, this option
allows the server to accept mail destined for other hosts.
For more information on Mail Relay options and other security
features, see Chapter 8 in the IMail Server User’s Guide.
• SMTP Authentication
SMTP Authentication lets you verify each user who attempts to
send mail through your mail server. SMTP Authentication is
always enabled on the IMail Server. Users need to set their mail
clients to do an SMTP login; for example, in Microsoft’s
Outlook, select the option My outgoing mail server requires
authentication.
SMTP Authentication is used in the following cases:
• If you use the No Mail Relay option for SMTP relay.
• If you use the Relay for Addresses option. SMTP
Authentication enables users who send from IP addresses that
you do not list; for example, users who are travelling and do
not have a static IP address.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
SSL provides user authentication and encryption for your Web
Messaging and Web Calendaring communications.
For more information about SSL, see the help file for the IMail
SSL Configuration Utility (available from Start->Programs->
IMail menu). The Introduction topic provides background
information on SSL and how it works.
Step 7: One Mail Host or Multiple Hosts?
You can have multiple hosts on one IMail Server system, with each
host handling the mail for a single domain. This feature lets you
provide separate mail services for separate organizations.
Hosts can be added to the IMail Server after you have completed the
installation of the primary host.
For information about setting up additional hosts and information
about other advanced configuration options, see Chapter 3 in the
IMail Server User’s Guide.

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IMail Server
Installing IMail Server
To install IMail Server, complete the following steps:
Step 1: Start the Installation Procedure
1 Log on to Windows NT or Windows 2000 as System
Administrator, or to an account with System Administrator
privileges.
2 Back up your Windows registry. (Run regedit.exe and select
Export Registry File from the Registry menu.)
3 If you purchased an IMail Server CD-ROM, insert it in the CD-
ROM drive. If the installation program does not automatically
start, select Run from the File menu, and then enter the CD-ROM
drive path followed by install\setup.exe, (for example:
d:\install\setup.exe).
If you downloaded IMail from the Internet, run the downloaded
imailec.exe application.
The installation program starts.

Note
As you proceed through the installation questions, note that you can
get help on any installation screen by pressing F1.

Step 2: Set the Official Host Name for Your Server


The first installation screen (Official Host Name) asks you to confirm
(or enter) the official host name of your primary system. This will be
the “primary host” for your IMail Server installation.
If you don’t know the Official Host Name, see “Step 3: Create DNS
Entries for Your Mail Server” on page 5.
If needed, you can add other “virtual hosts” after completing
installation of the primary host.
Step 3: Select the User Database
The next screen (Database Options) asks you to select the user
database option you prefer. See “Step 4: Choose the Type of User
Database” on page 7.

Getting Started Guide 11


IMail Server
If you selected External Database, you must specify the ODBC
System DSN for the database, along with the user ID and password to
log on to the database server. IMAILSECDB is the default name that
the IMail ODBC link uses. For example, for the System DSN, you
would enter: imailsecdb;UID=imailuser;PWD=password
Step 4: Select the Location for Installed Files and Folders
In the next screen (Choose Destination Location), enter the directory
where IMail Server will be installed. Please note: this directory must
not be moved or renamed after installation, and the path and directory
must not contain spaces.
In the Select Program Folder screen, confirm or enter the Program
Group in which IMail Server will appear (on the Start menu).
Step 5: Set Security Options
The next two screens ask whether you want to install SSL keys, and
what SMTP security you want to set. After you complete the
installation, you can change either of these settings by using the IMail
Administrator. In the IMail Server User’s Guide, see Chapter 6: Web
Messaging and Chapter 8: SMTP Security.
SSL applies only to Web Messaging. In the SSL Keys dialog box,
select one of the following options:
• If you already have a third-party SSL certificate, click No. After
installing IMail, run the IMail SSL utility by selecting Programs
-> IMail Server -> IMail SSL Configuration Utility from the
Start menu, and then follow the instructions in Help.
• If you do NOT already have a third-party SSL certificate, but
want to run the IMail web server using a “self-signed” SSL
certificate, click Yes.
• If you would like to read more about SSL before making a
decision, click No. (You can always install default keys later.)
In the SMTP Security screen, you can select the mail relay option
you want to use. See “Step 6: Determine Security Levels and Access
Control” on page 9. This setting is important as it determines who can
and cannot use your e-mail server (meaning your users vs. spammers).

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IMail Server
Step 6: Select the IMail Services You Want to Offer
The install program displays a list of IMail SERVICES (Service Start
Options) already running on your system. (If you have never installed
IMail Server before, these services are IMail SMTP Server, IMail
System Logger Service and IMail POP3 Server). Select any others
you want to start by default.

Note
You can also specify default services at any time after the
installation.). However, to send and receive e-mail, as a minimum, the
IMail SMTP Server box must be checked.

Step 7: Add a Test User


If you selected the IMail Database option, the Add User screen
appears. We recommend you add a few “stand-in” users now so you
can test the installation. (Note that you can also add users at any time
after the installation.)
Step 8: Restart your system
If you are prompted to restart your system, it is because the
installation could not properly set up a file. A Dynamic Link Library
(DLL) is most likely to cause this problem. To ensure that IMail
Server runs properly, restart as soon as possible.

Getting Started Guide 13


IMail Server
Testing Your IMail Server Installation
This section provides some quick tests to ensure that you have a
working IMail Server configuration.
Step 1: Confirm your DNS Settings
To check the DNS records for your IMail Server installation, you can
use either of the following tools:
• If you selected to install an evaluation copy of WS_Ping ProPack,
you can use the Lookup tool that is a part of this suite of
diagnostic tools.
• The “nslookup” command in Windows NT or 2000 operating
system.
To check your DNS settings using WS_Ping ProPack:
1 From the Start menu, select Programs->WS_Ping ProPack->
WS_Ping ProPack, and then click the LookUp tab.
2 View the MX record to verify that the domain name is pointing
to the correct host name. To do this, enter the following:
• Name or IP address: Enter the domain name (for example,
domain.com).
• DNS Server: Enter the host name or IP address of the domain
name server you want to use or, select stack from the drop-
down list to use your operating system’s network stack.
• Query Type: Select MX from the list.
Click Start. You will get information like the following:
>domain.com
10,imailbox.domain.com
3 View the A record and verify that host name is pointing to the
correct IP address. To do this, enter the following:
• Name or IP address: Enter the Official Host Name of the
IMail Server host (for example, imailbox.domain.com).
• DNS Server: Enter the host name or IP address of the domain
name server you want to use; or, select stack from the drop-
down list to use your operating systems’s network stack.
• Query Type: Select A from the list.

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IMail Server
Click Start. You will get information like the following:
>imailbox.domain.com
156.21.50.10

4 View the PTR Record and verify that the IP Address points to
the official host name. To do this, enter the following:
• Name or IP address: Enter the IP address of the IMail Server
host (for example, 156.21.50.10).
• DNS Server: Enter the host name or IP address of the domain
name server you want to use; or, select stack from the drop-
down list to use your operating system’s network stack.
• Query Type: Select PTR from the list.
Click Start. You will get information like the following:
>10.50.21.156.in-addr.arpa.
host = imailbox.domain.com.
5 Record any errors. If you host your own DNS server, correct the
entries. If your DNS service is hosted by an ISP, contact them and
request the changes.
To check your DNS settings using the “nslookup” tool:
1 Run the Windows “nslookup” command to view the MX record.
View the MX record to verify that the domain name is pointing
to the correct host name. For example, enter:
nslookup
>ls -t MX domain.com
The command returns information like the following:
>domain MX 10 imailbox.domain.com
2 Under the Windows “nslookup” command, view the A record
and verify that host name is pointing to the correct IP address.
nslookup
>ls -t A imailbox.domain.com
The command returns information like the following:
>imailbox.domain.com A 156.21.50.10
3 Under the Windows “nslookup” command, view the PTR
Record and verify that the IP Address points to the official host
name.
nslookup
>ls -t PTR 156.21.50.10

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IMail Server
The command should return information like the following:
>imailbox.domain.com PTR 156.21.50.10
4 Record any errors and, if you host your own DNS server, correct
the entries. If your DNS service is hosted by an ISP, contact them
and request the changes.
Step 2: Confirm Your IMail Server Installation
To confirm your IMail Server installation, do the following:
1 From the Start menu, select Programs > IMail > IMail
Administrator.
The IMail Administrator appears. The left panel provides access
to system defaults, services, and to primary and virtual host
settings. For each host, there is access to users, aliases, and list-
server mailing lists.

Select an item in the left panel to view its properties in the right panel.

Select “localhost” to
display the IMail Server
configuration.

Primary Host

Check boxes are for making


multiple selections

Virtual hosts

2 In IMail Administrator, expand the localhost folder, and then


select the primary host. The right panel shows the General
properties for your primary host. Check the following:

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IMail Server
• Official Host Name. Make sure this matches the host name,
as entered in the Windows TCP settings, for the PC on which
you installed IMail Server.
• Host Aliases. If you want users on the primary host to get
messages addressed to the domain name, create an alias for
the host. For example, mail to the user elena is addressed as
elena@emmitt.company1.com. If you create a host alias of
company1.com, the user (elena) can also receive mail
addressed to elena@company1.com.
For more information about configuring IMail Server, see “Chapter 3:
Configuration” in the IMail Server User’s Guide.
Step 3: Confirm User Database Setup
To verify that you can send and receive mail, you should have at least
one user for your primary host.
If your primary host uses the IMail user database, you may have
created a user during the installation. Check whether users were
created: in the left panel of IMail Administrator, expand the localhost
folder, select the primary host, and then expand the Users folder. If
you see only the “root” user, perform these steps to add a test user:
1 Select the primary host and click the General tab.
2 In the right panel, click Add User, and then follow the
instructions. A user ID must be 3 to 30 characters with no
hyphens or spaces. For now, leave Show Advanced Settings
turned off.
3 Click Next and then Finish to add the user. The user ID is added
to the list of registered users for the primary host. The user
properties appear in the right panel.
If your primary host uses the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user
database, you should have two default accounts: Administrator and
Guest. If you need to add a user for test purposes, add the account in
the appropriate Windows administrative tool.
If your primary host is based on an external database and the external
database is not populated, perform these steps:
1 In IMail Administrator, in the left panel, expand the primary host
and the Users folder.

Getting Started Guide 17


IMail Server
2 Select the user named root.
3 On the General tab, turn off Account Access Disabled.
4 Next, as described in the following section, add a few users .
Any users you have added can now receive mail through IMail Server
at the host name specified in your Windows TCP/IP parameters. For
example, if you added the user elena, and the host name is
emmitt.company1. com, the user can now receive mail addressed to
elena@emmitt.company1.com. (See the previous step for information
about host aliases.)
Step 4: Sending and Receiving Mail in a Test Account
To send and receive mail in a test account, complete the following
steps:
1 Check to make sure the mail servers are running. To do this, from
the left panel, expand the localhost folder and select the Services
folder to see if the SMTP, POP3, and IMAP4 servers are running.
The status of SMTP should be “running;” this is automatically
started.

Note
If the POP3 and IMAP4 are not “running,” you must start them.

2 Start up your e-mail client.


If you are using IMail Client (Start > Programs > IMail > IMail
Client), the users you added will appear in a drop-down list. Log
on using one of the user accounts you created, and send mail to
another user. Then check that the mail appears in the second
user’s Main mailbox.
3 Next, you need to send a test message to test mail service to
remote systems. To do this, if you are connected to the Internet,
send mail to imailtest@ipswitch.com. We will reply to your mail.
You can also test by sending mail to a user on another host and
ask them to reply.
4 When you are satisfied that the mail server works properly, you
can add more hosts and users.

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IMail Server
Enabling Wizards
The IMail Administrator provides several wizards that help you enter
information. For example, the New User wizard steps you through the
creation of an account for a new user. If you enable wizards, a wizard
will start when you do the following:
• Add host
• Add user
• Add alias
• Add list
To enable wizards, from the Tools menu, select Use Wizards. To
disable wizards, select it again.

Technical Support
For more information about Ipswitch Technical Support, visit our
Support Center at:
http://www.ipswitch.com/support/

Getting Started Guide 19


IMail Server
20 Getting Started Guide
IMail Server
Glossary
A record
“A” records map a host name to an IP address.
alias
An alias is another name assigned to a host name that can be used in
place of the host name (plus domain name). Aliases are often used to
shorten long host names for convenience.
client
A client is a program running on a networked computer that requests
services from a server program, which is usually running on another
networked computer. The client communicates with the server using a
protocol. For example, a mail client communicates with a mail server
using the POP3 or IMAP4 protocol.
domain
A term that refers to the subdivisions of the Internet network. Domain
can mean the major subdivision of which your network is a part (for
example, .com, .edu, .gov, .net, .us, .uk) or it can refer to your part of
the network (for example, ipswitch.com). See also Domain Name
System.
Domain Name System (DNS)
A distributed database system that translates host names (for example,
tortoise.ipswitch.com) to IP addresses (for example, 156.21.50.10).
All hosts on the Internet are named using the conventions specified by
the Domain Name System. Host Names are used because they are
easier to remember than numerical addresses (IP addresses). An
example host and domain name is tortoise.ipswitch.com, where
tortoise is the host name, and ipswitch.com is the domain name. The
domain represents the network where the host is located.

Glossary 21
IMail Server
domain name server
A host that keeps a table of host names and IP addresses and provides
the lookup service for client programs. A domain name server is used
by client programs to look up the IP address of a host. A domain name
server provides host name to IP address mapping for the local network
and provides access to the Domain Name System to look up hosts in
other domains.
A primary name server contains all the information for the domain in
its database files. If you add a second name server for backup or to
off-load the primary server, you can set it up as a secondary server. A
secondary name server obtains its domain information by copying the
database files from the name server that is primary for that domain.
The advantage of using secondary servers is that you can maintain the
domain information on one name server (the primary).
Finger
The Finger protocol is a common Internet language that allows remote
users to see information about users registered on a system. This
includes the last time a user read their mail and a “plan” file provide
by the user that contains any additional information the user wishes to
provide in response to Finger requests.
gate host
A Gate Host is the name of another host to send mail to for further
delivery when the mail cannot be delivered directly to the destination
host.
IMAP4
Internet Message Access Protocol version 4 (IMAP4) is a method of
accessing electronic mail messages that are kept on a (possibly
shared) mail server. It permits a client e-mail application to access
remote message stores as if they were local.
in-addr.arpa domain
A special domain on the Internet that maps IP addresses to domain
names. This domain is used to do reverse lookups, where the IP
address is known and the application is querying for the host name.

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IMail Server
IP
Internet Protocol; the protocol that determines how packets (bundles
of data) traverse the Internet network to find their destination. See also
TCP.
IP address
All hosts on the Internet are identified by a unique numeric code,
called the IP address. 156.21.50.1 is an IP address. The Domain Name
System is used to map the IP address to a name.
LDAP
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a method of
accessing directory information stored on a server. It permits an
LDAP-enabled client to search for and view user information stored in
an LDAP directory.
list server
A List server provides an automated way to manage mail discussion
groups. All messages for a mail discussion group received by a List
server are sent to all the members of that mail discussion group.
The List server manages the adding and removing of users from the
subscriber list as well as the distribution of messages to all subscribed
users. Users subscribe to a list by mailing a subscription request to the
List server, which automatically adds them to the list.
Mailing lists
See list server.
MX record
The MX record identifies the host name of the computer running the
mail server (in this case, the IMail Server computer).
name server
See domain name server.
namespace
Synonymous with domain.

Glossary 23
IMail Server
ODBC
Open DataBase Connectivity is a standard database access method
that makes it possible to access data from any application, regardless
of which database management system (DBMS) is handling the data.
ODBC inserts a layer, called a database driver, between an application
and the DBMS. This layer translates the application’s data queries into
commands that the DBMS understands.
POP3
Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) is the most common protocol
for communicating with a mail server (otherwise known as a post
office) to retrieve messages for a user. Since POP3 servers are always
available to receive incoming mail, individual users do not have to
have their PCs turned on at all times. POP3 servers hold mail for users
until they connect to download their messages. IMail Server is a POP3
mail server.
protocol
A set of rules that define how computers will exchange information.
PTR record
The PTR record maps an IP address to the host name and is used for
reverse lookups.
reverse lookups
When the client program requests the host name of a given IP address,
the DNS server does a reverse lookup. This is the reverse of the
normal DNS lookup procedure, where the IP address for a given host
name is sought. Reverse lookups use a special domain, the in-
addr.arpa domain, which maps IP addresses to domain names.
server
A server is a program running on a networked computer that processes
requests for services from a client program, which is usually running
on another networked computer. The client and server communicate
using a protocol. For example, an FTP client communicates with an
FTP server using the FTP protocol.

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IMail Server
service
“Service” is a formal Windows NT term for an executable object that
is installed in a registry database maintained by Windows NT’s
Service Control Manager. A service is a program that can be
automatically started when the system is booted and will continue to
run until the system is shut down. The service will continue to run
even when no one is logged on the system.
SSL
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is used for communications between a
browser and the server. SSL encrypts your mail communications so
they can be read only by the intended recipients. SSL is a protocol that
uses “certificates” to authenticate the client and server and uses a
public/private key “pair” to encrypt and decrypt communications. All
of the major browsers are SSL enabled.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is designed to efficiently and
reliably transfer mail across TCP/IP networks, including the Internet.
SMTP defines the interaction between mail systems to facilitate the
transfer of electronic mail even when the mail systems are on different
types of computers or running different operating systems. SMTP is
required to send or receive mail over the Internet. IMail Server is an
SMTP server.
Spamming
When a bulk mailer sends unsolicited mail to thousands of other
people, it is known as “spamming.” Spam mailers may try to use your
system to relay their messages to other Internet mail users, tying up
your valuable system resources. IMail Server provides anti-spamming
features.
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol; the protocol that controls how data is
assembled and disassembled in packets. See also IP.

Glossary 25
IMail Server
Web Messaging
A browser-based application that provides e-mail client functionality
for users and remote access to mail server administration functions for
administrators.
Whois
The Whois protocol is a common Internet language that allows remote
users to search for mail addresses of users.

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IMail Server
Index

A host alias 17 N
A record 21 hosts new features 2
viewing 14 multiple 10 new in version 7 2
adding users 18 nslookup 14
alias 17 I NTFS 2, 4
authentication,SMTP 10 IMail Administrator 16
using wizards 19 O
C Imail user database 7 ODBC database 7
clients installation 11 Official Host Name 11
e-mail 2 planning 4
selecting location 12 P
D testing 14 PTR record
database IP address 5 viewing 15
confirming setup 17
external 7 K R
IMail 7 Knowledge Base 1 relay options 9
selecting 11 requirements 4
Windows 7 L
database, users 7 lookup 14 S
DNS entries 5 security 9, 10
A records 6 M setting 12
background information 6 mail client 3 SSL 12
confirming 14 mail gateways 22 services
MX records 6 sending mail 22 selecting 13
PTR records 6 mail server services, mail 8
DNS server 2 DNS entries 5 SMTP Authentication 10
domain name 5 installing 11 spamming
number of users 5 see security 12
E security 9 SSL 12
e-mail clients 2 services 8 system requirements 4
external user database 7 setting security 12
testing 14 T
G mail services technical support 19
Gate Host 22 selecting 13 testing
mail system send and receive mail 18
H components 2
MX record 21
host U
official name 11 viewing 14
user database
primary 5 confirming setup 17

Index 27
IMail Server
W
Windows user database 7
wizards, in IMail
Administrator 19
WS_Ping ProPack 14

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